Be part of building a new Ireland

DUP should support judges rather than cosy up to UDA – Kelly

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said today that Sinn Féin is standing up against armed groups from right across the community while the DUP is cosying up to the UDA.

And the north Belfast MLA has called on the DUP to support the call by Judge Stephens for the PSNI to provide information to the courts in compliance with court orders.

Gerry Kelly was responding to comments made by the DUP’s Jeffrey Donaldson following a meeting between Sinn Féin and the Chief Constable of the PSNI.

Gerry Kelly said:

“Sinn Féin has been consistent in our opposition to the activity of armed groups no matter where they emanate from.

“Sinn Féin has stood up against these groups while the DUP are cosying up to the UDA.

“The ongoing murders, drug dealing and intimidation being carried out by the UDA is a matter of grave concern to all.

“It’s frankly nonsense to suggest that there is anything one-sided about raising the ongoing criminality of a group whose activities are a blight on loyalist communities in particular and a threat to all.

“Jeffrey Donaldson’s comments on Sinn Féin’s meeting with the Chief Constable owe more to appeasing the UDA for its support for the DUP in the recent Westminster election and his party’s failure to address the issue of collusion.

“I challenge the DUP to state whether they support the calls from Justice Treacy for an overarching inquiry into the activities of the Glenanne Gang, which included members of the UDR and RUC and which murdered around 130 people.

“They also need to tell the public whether they support the call by Justice Stephens on the PSNI to provide information to the courts in compliance with court orders.”

Gerry Kelly also said that Jeffrey Donaldson knows what has to be done if the political institutions in the north are to be restored.

“Sinn Féin wants the political institutions up and running but it must be on the basis of equality and respect and we need an end to the financial scandal associated with the DUP.

“There needs to be an end to the denial of rights including language rights, marriage equality and the right of families to coroner’s inquests that all other citizens enjoy in every other part of these islands.”